Derry Stone Age village sheds new light on life 6,000 years ago

 A 6,000-year-old Stone Age village excavated in Londonderry has been heralded as being of global significance.

 The settlement is seen as of world importance as it is only the second of its type found in Ireland and is unique in the range of activities found to have been carried out there.

Archaeologists have found evidence of early farming techniques, ancient artwork and even battles on the site, which was fortified with a wooden palisade.

Some of the thousands of artefacts uncovered at the early neolithic settlement will now go on display for the first time ever in an exhibition opening in the Tower Museum tomorrow. The ancient community was discovered in routine excavation work undertaken during the construction of Thornhill College girls grammar school in Culmore in 2000.

Dwelling structures, decorated pottery, flint weapons and a tree-lined fortification — one of only two in Ireland [...] belfasttelegraph.co.uk/